Daily Archive : Wednesday April 30, 2014

News

Farnham gets home confinement in child porn caseBy Barbara VitelloFormer state Rep. Keith Farnham of Elgin was released on $4,500 bond and ordered confined to his Elgin home as he appeared for his initial federal court hearing on charges of possessing child pornography. Farnham said he is being treated for hepatitis C, has bladder cancer that is in remission and needs a lung transplant because of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. Without a transplant,...

Batavia middle school sexting investigatedBy Susan SarkauskasBatavia police are investigating sexting involving Rotolo Middle School students. Police said at least a dozen students took or received nude photographs via cellphone. Detective Kevin Bretz said it's important parents check their kids' phones and computers, because youngsters this age don't realize the long-term consequences. "Kids tend to see not much farther than their noses," he said.

Portillo’s looking into selling hot dog restaurantsDaily Herald reportPortillo Restaurant Group announced Wednesday it is considering the sale of its Portillo’s division. “The popularity of the brand continues to grow, and that momentum, together with outstanding management and employees, brings tremendous potential for further growth and opportunity,” CEO Richard J. Portillo said.

Elgin picks four finalists for council seatBy Elena FerrarinFour candidates among 21 applicants were selected to be interviewed next week to fill a vacant seat on the Elgin City Council. Mitchell Esterino, Mohammad “Mo” Iqbal, Rosamaria Martinez and Aaron Sellers were selected in executive session during a special committee of the whole meeting Wednesday, Councilman John Prigge said.

Judge frees woman convicted in toddler’s deathAssociated PressA woman who’s spent nearly a decade in a prison for the death of a 14-month-old girl in Will County has been freed by a federal judge. Judge Matthew Kennelly wrote that Jennifer Del Prete's case was “exceptional and deserving of special treatment” because she has “substantial” evidence of innocence. He said it could take years for her to clear her name.

Man gets 9 years for firearms traffickingAssociated PressA Will County man was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for trafficking firearms from Missouri. Prosecutors said Richard Carrino of Crest Hill couldn’t legally buy or possess firearms because of a previous felony conviction. But His sister bought five guns in Missouri between November 2012 and February 2013 and shipped them to him.

Madigan ally files lawsuit to stop vote on term limitsAssociated PressHours before petitions were delivered to the State Board of Elections, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s top attorney filed a lawsuit seeking to stop a term limits ballot measure championed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner from being put to voters in November.

Hundreds rescued from floodwaters in Florida, AlabamaAssociated PressPeople were plucked off rooftops or climbed into their attics to get away from fast-rising waters when nearly 2 feet of rain fell on the Florida Panhandle and Alabama coast in the span of about 24 hours, the latest bout of severe weather that began with tornadoes in the Midwest. On Wednesday, roads were chewed up into pieces or wiped out entirely and neighborhoods were inundated, making rescues...

Iraqis vote in an election without foreign troopsAssociated Press Iraq voted Wednesday in its first nationwide election since U.S. troops withdrew in 2011, with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki confident of victory and even offering an olive branch to his critics by inviting them to join him in a governing coalition. But his optimism will do little to conceal the turmoil and violence that still stalk Iraq in the eight years he has held office, with the looming...

GOP blocks Democrats’ minimum wage try in SenateAssociated PressSenate Republicans derailed a Democratic drive Wednesday to raise the federal minimum wage, blocking a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s economic plans and ensuring the issue will be a major feature of this fall’s congressional elections.

Caregiver accused of identity theftDaily Herald reportA Lake in the Hills woman who worked as a home health nurse stole the identity of her patients and opened multiple bank accounts, police said.

Botched execution offers new evidence to attorneysAssociated PressA bungled execution in Oklahoma provides death penalty opponents with a fresh, startling example of how lethal injections can go wrong. But the odds of successfully challenging the nation’s main form of capital punishment will probably hinge on exactly what caused the inmate’s apparent agony.

Chicago man claims police unjustified in shootingAssociated PressChicago is being sued by a man claiming he was unarmed and posed no threat when police officers shot him last year. In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, 36-year-old Ortiz Glaze alleges officers planted a silver cellphone with his belongings to justify shooting him on April 30, 2013.

$35,000 settlement for Dist. 300 student beaten on bus rideBy Harry HitzemanA $35,000 settlement has been reached in the case of a special needs student at a West Dundee middle school who sued Community Unit District 300 and Durham School Services after she was beaten and injured on a school bus in October 2010. District 300 was dismissed from the case months ago; the Warrenville-based Durham settled in April.

District 158 selects new chief academic officerBy Madhu KrishnamurthyErika Schlichter has been tapped as Huntley School District 158's new chief academic officer. Schlichter comes from Kaneland School District 302 where she serves as director of education services for grades six through 12. She replaces Mike Moan, who is leaving District 158 after 17 years to become superintendent of Woodstock Community Unit School District 200.

New leadership hired for three D300 schoolsBy Lenore T. AdkinsNew leadership is inbound for three schools in Community Unit District 300. Monday night, the school board approved hiring principals at Oak Ridge School and Liberty Elementary School, both in Carpentersville, and at Lake in the Hills Elementary School.

Democrats could craft two budget choicesBy Mike RiopellIllinois House Democrats plan to make a state budget that assumes the 2011 income tax is made permanent as lawmakers face a deadline to craft a spending plan at the end of May. Initially, budget committees had been working toward making a budget that assumed the state’s tax rates will drop as law requires at the end of the year.

35-year sentence for beating, kidnapping of Aurora womanBy Harry HitzemanA 46-year-old man was sentenced to 35 years in prison Wednesday for kidnapping and beating a homeless woman in Aurora in 2011. The sentence for Tracy S. Taylor will be served at the same time as a 45-year term for a similar offense in Cook County.

Barrington 220 discusses options for laptop programBy Doug T. GrahamThe Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board this week outlined the options for families interested in keeping beyond the end of the school year the laptops their high school students will be issued this fall. District spokesman Jeff Arnett said parents will be mailed a form this month asking them to choose between the standard laptop plan or the “lease-to-own” plan.

Probe of Quinn program stirs governor’s raceAssociated PressGov. Pat Quinn says his biggest achievements include cleaning up Illinois government after two scandal-plagued predecessors went to prison, but two back-to-back probes into hiring and management in the Chicago Democrat’s administration have given his Republican challenger fodder to paint a contrasting picture.

Tornado seasons lately have been boom or bustAssociated PressSomething strange is happening with tornadoes lately in the United States and it’s baffling meteorologists. It’s either unusually quiet or deadly active. Until this weekend’s outbreak, the U.S. had by far the quietest start of the year for tornadoes. By the beginning of last week, there had been only 20 significant tornadoes and none of them that big.

Two ex-Itasca priests, 14 more named in just-released church sexual abuse documentsTwo former Itasca priests are among 16 named in just-released sexual abuse files kept on them by the Joliet Diocese. The long-confidential documents were released to the public Wednesday by sexual abuse attorney Jeff Anderson, who said they show the diocese put a priority on “protecting themselves and their priests at the peril of children.”

Artists sought for festival:Daily Herald reportArtists are invited to apply and submit images for the David Adler Music and Arts Center’s 34th annual Festival of the Arts. The application deadline is May 16.

Batavia priest on leave as diocese investigates conductBy Susan SarkauskasA Batavia priest has been put on leave while the Rockford Diocese investigates him, according to Bishop David Malloy. The bishop informed parishioners of thislast Sunday, and said the investigation into Monsignor Aaron Brodeski does not involve minors or money, or Holy Cross parish or school.

Rauner: Term limits push gets 590,000 signaturesAssociated PressGOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner says he has more than 590,000 signatures in support of a ballot measure that would ask voters whether term limits should be introduced for legislators. He’s confident voters will approve.

Dance coach fired after ‘Blurred Lines’ files complaintAssociated PressA dance coach fired after her team performed to Robin Thicke’s popular but racy hit “Blurred Lines” has filed a discrimination complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The complaint filed by former coach Lisa Joling says male coaches who allowed more egregious songs to be played in locker rooms or at school functions faced no penalties.

More Chicago students to get free college coursesAssociated PressMore than 3,000 Chicago Public Schools students will get to enroll in free college courses at the City College of Chicago beginning this fall. Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the program is an important part of the city’s goal to ensure every student is “100 percent college ready and 100 percent college bound.”

Chicago approves partial ban on plastic bagsAssociated PressChicago's new ban on plastic bags exempts restaurants and small independent or non-franchise retailers. Stores larger than 10,000-square-feet would have to comply by August 2015. Smaller stores would have until August 2016.

Botanist gets 27 months for Chicago threatsAssociated PressA federal judge has sentenced a Chicago botanist to more than two years in prison for mailing threatening letters to then-Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, among others. Richard Hyerczyk, 54, sent the letters because he was upset Chicago police shot and killed a wild cougar in 2008.

Libertyville preschoolers bring ‘Peter Pan’ to lifeBy Gilbert R. Boucher IILibertyville Cooperative Preschool students danced around the stage and “flew” through the audience during Wednesday’s presentation of “Peter Pan” at Trinity Community Church in Libertyville.

Jurors watch police interrogation video in Round Lake Beach shooting trialBy Lee FilasA Round Lake man on trial for the 2013 murder of a Zion teen told police in an interrogation video the shooting was gang related. However, Jose Rebollar, 26, never told police during the three-hour video played for the jury Wednesday that he knew co-defendant Jose Garcia was going to shoot and kill Gabriel Gonzalez.

Chicago OKs alcohol sales at 8 a.m. on SundaysAssociated PressChicagoans will be able to purchase alcoholic beverages three hours earlier on Sunday. The Chicago City Council on Wednesday approved a measure that moves the current 11 a.m. time to buy beer, wine and hard liquor to 8 a.m.

More Chicago police on streets to combat violenceAssociated PressWith the number of shootings in Chicago already climbing with the temperatures, police are being dispatched by the hundreds on overtime to high-crime neighborhoods, parks, public housing buildings and other spots around the city to combat the spike in crime that comes every summer.

Campton Hills man gets 10 years prison for Corvette theftBy Harry HitzemanA Campton Hills man who went on the lam to Turkey instead of reporting to prison for a five-year burglary sentence pleaded guilty this week to a stolen vehicle charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Daniel R. Kellogg, 39, was eligible for an extended term because of at least eight previous felony convictions dating back to 1993.

Bartlett raising fees at village-owned golf courseBy Katlyn SmithBartlett Hills golfers will pay for modest fee increases when the summer season begins at the village-owned course on Oneida Avenue. The new rates will raise $20,000 annually and help the 18-hole course reach a profit, officials say.

Fox Valley police reportsAnthony P. Turner, 49, of Elgin, was charged Wednesday with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance for an incident that took place April 11, court documents show.

Lombard board set to reexamine video gaming ordinanceBy Jessica CilellaThe Lombard village board will have a chance Thursday to discuss whether video gambling should be allowed in the village. In 2010, the board approved an ordinance that banned video gambling. Since then, however, there have been requests by trustees to review that ordinance again. Trustee Bill Ware said he wants to take another look because more “mechanisms” have been put in place by...

Rolling Meadows carnival opens ThursdayDaily Herald reportThe Rolling Meadows Rotary Club’s Spring Fest carnival kicks off at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 1 and runs through Sunday, and then again from May 8-11, at Meadow Marketplace Shopping Center, 2801 Kirchoff Road. The carnival runs 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 1 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Schaumburg Youth Orchestra boasts Conductor of the YearBy Eric PetersonAs the Schaumburg Youth Symphony Orchestra stands poised to mark its 25th anniversary this summer, founding Director Joseph Malmquist has another reason to celebrate: his recognition as 2014 Youth Orchestra Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.

Prospect Hts. teachers, school board reach tentative dealBy Matt AradoTeachers in Prospect Heights Elementary District 23 have reached a tentative agreement with the school board on the last two years of a four-year contract first approved in 2011, officials said. “We’re excited about this,” said Mari-Lynn Peters, president of the District 23 school board. “We hope the union members give it a positive vote.”

Experiment grows new muscle in men’s injured legsAssociated PressScientists implanted thin sheets of scaffolding-like material from pigs into a few young men with disabling leg injuries — and say the experimental treatment coaxed the men’s own stem cells to regrow new muscle. The research, funded by the Defense Department, included just five patients, a small first step in the complex quest for regenerative medicine.

Elgin woman finalist for U-46 vacancyBy Madhu KrishnamurthyElgin Area School District U-46 has named a finalist to fill a vacancy on the seven-member school board. The school board Monday night is expected to appoint Linda Campos-Moreira of Elgin to the seat vacated by Frank Napolitano, who resigned March 21 because he moved out of district.

Palatine man pleads not guilty in teen’s 1997 slayingBy Doug T. GrahamA Palatine man accused this month of killing a suburban teen more than 17 years after her partially clothed and battered body was discovered in a southeastern Wisconsin wildlife refuge formally denied charges this morning that could put him in prison for life. James Paul Eaton, 36, of the 1100 block of North Sterling Avenue, pleaded not guilty to first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a...

Lawmakers redo vote approving Obama library moneyBy Zachary WhiteIllinois House Republicans today got their chance to vote against using tax money to pay for a Barack Obama presidential library two weeks after Democrats recorded them voting for it at a meeting they didn’t attend.

Open house at Soup to Nuts celebrates 35 yearsSubmitted by Soup To NutsThirty-five years ago, a Geneva woman established a natural food co-op on the front porch of her James Street home. Soup to Nuts Alternative Grocery was born. From these humble roots grew a full-service health store that now boasts a wide assortment of organic food, vitamins, an organic cafe and a holistic healing center.

Never be afraid to ask for helpBy Annettee BudzbanIf Jesus was willing to ask for help when it was needed, why should we be any different? asks columnist Annettee Budzban.

EYSO’s final concerts of the season feature new percussion ensembleSubmitted by Elgin Youth Symphony OrchestraOn Sunday, May 4, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s newest ensemble will perform at the final concerts of the organization’s 38th season. "Star Cross’d: The Music of Romeo and Juliet" concerts will be at 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

Liquor laws among Elgin’s top headlines in early 1914By Jerry TurnquistA proposed tent city for tuberculosis patients. An upcoming election to decide whether Elgin would allow the sale of liquor. Government officials being exempt from federal income tax. These were among the top headlines in Elgin news 100 years ago.

Program to paint Carpentersville homes needs applicantsBy Lenore T. AdkinsCarpentersville is looking for certain groups of people in the village who need help painting their homes. Every September, the village’s Paint-A-Thon committee paints the exteriors of three or four homes for seniors and disabled veterans. Applications for those who would like to be considered for the program are now available in Carpentersville.

DNA sought to close 1926 missing-person caseAssociated PressMarvin A. Clark vanished during a short trip to Portland on Halloween weekend 1926, but the search to find out what happened to him may finally be drawing to a close nearly 90 years later. Clark's disappearance is one of the oldest active missing-person cases in the nation. Investigators know Clark is not alive — he'd be more than 160 years old — but they believe they have his...

District 220's 'first priority' is finding a new leaderBy Doug T. GrahamCalling it the “first priority of the board,” the Barrington Area Unit District 220 board scheduled three more meetings to meet with candidates to replace outgoing Superintendent Tom Leonard. Board President Brian Battle told the Daily Herald Tuesday night that the board is working hard to replace Leonard in the coming weeks.

Ex-Montana teacher to be re-sentenced in rape caseAssociated PressThe Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned a one-month sentence that was widely condemned as too lenient for a former high school teacher convicted of raping a 14-year-old student. The court ordered a new judge to re-sentence defendant Stacey Dean Rambold, who has been free since completing the previous term last fall.

Witnesses describe shooting at FedEx centerAssociated PressIt was before sunrise when the young man drove to the FedEx package-sorting center where he worked outside Atlanta, armed with a shotgun and Molotov cocktails. At 5:54 a.m. Tuesday, police said, the man opened fire on a guard.When he emerged from his car, a witness said, he had ammunition draped across his chest “like Rambo.”

Lao activist missing 500 days, wife seeks answersAssociated PressFive hundred days after Laos’ most prominent civil rights advocate went missing at a traffic police checkpoint in the capital Vientiane, his wife said Tuesday she remains completely in the dark about what happened to him. Sombath Somphone’s disappearance was recorded on closed circuit television. The footage shows the activist being escorted by two men to a pickup truck and driven...

Arkansas residents resolve to stay after twisterAssociated PressOn the banks of Lake Conway, Michael and Christina Saville had what they regarded as their perfect home, a suburban retreat that attracted an abundance of animals. They say they will again, too. The Savilles lost their roof during a tornado Sunday night in Arkansas, and their front porch is missing, but they remain focused on what they need to do to rebuild the home they’ve had for eight...

Kiev: Forces “helpless” to restore order in eastAssociated PressUkraine’s police and security forces are “helpless” to quell the unrest in two eastern regions bordering Russia and in some cases are cooperating with the pro-Russia gunmen who have seized scores of buildings and taken people hostage, Ukraine’s leader said Wednesday. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said his government’s goal now was to prevent the agitation...

Kane County facing $1.5 million in judicial center repairsBy James FullerMalfunctioning fire alarms and "filthy" water at the Kane County Judicial Center are the result of cutting corners to reduce costs during the original construction of the building, board members learned Tuesday. The problems may cost more than $1.5 million to fix.

Abducted girls forced to marry Nigerian extremistsAssociated PressScores of girls and young women kidnapped from a school in Nigeria are being forced to marry their Islamic extremist abductors, a civil society group reported Wednesday. Parents say the girls are being sold into marriage to Boko Haram militants for $12, Halite Aliyu of the Borno-Yobe People’s Forum told The Associated Press.

GiGi’s Playhouse Dash for Down syndrome June 8Daily Herald reportRegistration is now open for the 11th annual GiGi’s Playhouse 5K Fun Run, 1-mile walk, Dash for Down syndrome, taking place Sunday, June 8 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Last year, more than 3,000 people of all ages participated in the event.

Which suburban townships raised property taxes?By Jake GriffinProperty values plummeted on average more than 20 percent from 2009 to 2012 across 50 suburban townships. Meanwhile, leaders of 36 of those townships increased property tax collections during those same years.

Lombard's Yorktown Center celebrating renovationsBy Jessica CilellaA ribbon cutting is set to take place Friday at Yorktown Center in Lombard, where $20 million in renovations are being completed this year. The celebrations will begin at 10 a.m. in the lower level center court, which is one of three areas that have been targeted in the renovations.

Lake Arlington path changes start with new seasonBy Melissa SilverbergPermanent changes to the path at Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights will be in place as the summer season opens May 1 - all in response to last year's deadly pedestrian versus bicycle accident. According to park district officials, when the boat house opens at Lake Arlington on Thursday, May 1, bikers and walkers will still be separated on the lakefront path.

VFW commander-in-chief visits ElginBy Elena FerrarinVeterans must take care of each other, and must work to ensure that younger and female veterans are embraced into the ranks for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Those were among the key points that William “Bill” Thien, the VFW’s commander-in-chief, made Tuesday night during a visit to Elgin VFW Post 1307.

Housing group busy rehabbing homes in MundeleinBy Russell LissauThe Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County’s effort to turn foreclosed and dilapidated houses in Mundelein into livable homes has gained steam since the group formed a financial partnership with the village last fall.

Users bemoan e-cigarette bans in Chicago, New York CityAssociated PressLaws in New York and Chicago making electronic cigarettes subject to the same regulations as tobacco are taking effect, and their sellers and users are steadfast in their opposition. The New York ban — along with the measure in Chicago, one that previously went into effect in Los Angeles and federal regulations proposed last week — are keeping debate smoldering among public health...

Sports

Hawks will face Minnesota Wild in Round 2By Mike SpellmanAsk anyone on the Blackhawks if they planned to watch Wednesday night's game between Colorado and Minnesota, and to a man they were all in. Of course, ask the Hawks which team they were rooting for, and suddenly their lips were sealed. Those players who did watch caught a Wild one as Minnesota powered past the Avs for a 5-4 OT win in Game 7 on Wednesday night. The Wild will face the Hawks at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the UC.

Kings cap comeback with 5-1 Game 7 win vs SharksAssoicated PressAnze Kopitar scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period and Jonathan Quick made 39 saves to cap the Los Angeles Kings’ historic comeback from three games down with a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of their first-round series Wednesday night.

Wild beat Avs 5-4 in OT, will face HawksAssociated PressNino Niederreiter scored his second goal of the game 5:02 into overtime and Ilya Bryzgalov made a big save filling in for an injured Darcy Kuemper, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 on Wednesday night.

Softball / Northwest roundupDaily Herald reportElk Grove’s softball team collected three more home runs in a 7-3 victory over visiting Wheeling on Wednesday. The Grenadiers improved to 18-3 and 5-2 in the Mid-Suburban League East, remaining a half game ahead of Buffalo Grove (9-8 and 5-3).

Softball / Lake County roundupDaily Herald reportJenny Behan hit 2 home runs in a game for the third time this season, as Carmel Catholic’s softball team held off host St. Viator 7-5 in East Suburban Catholic Conference action Wednesday.

Cubs come from behind for 9-4 win over RedsAssociated PressThe Cubs scored in a variety of ways to produce one of their best offensive nights of the young season. Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer before drawing a career-high four walks and Nate Schierholtz drove in three runs, rallying Chicago over the Cincinnati Reds 9-4 Wednesday night. "We had good at-bats all night," Rizzo said. "Schierholtz had a huge at-bat in the ninth."

Baseball / Lake County roundupDaily Herald reportLibertyville’s baseball team made its annual trip to Miller Park in Milwaukee a success Wednesday. Conor Simpson went 2-for-3, and winning pitcher Mitch Townsend was 1-for-2 with a double and 2 RBI, as the Wildcats defeated Oregon 6-3.

Clutch finish helps Hersey past MeadowsBy John LeuschBeing the conscientious athlete she is, Angela Schmiederer was not entirely happy with her final at-bat that won Hersey a softball game on Wednesday. “I got the bunt sign (with a runner on first and no outs),” said the Huskies senior catcher and Iowa recruit. “And I failed to get it down.” But she didn’t fail to make up for it a few pitches later. With Dani Sychowski still getting to second base on a wild pitch, Schmiederer was able to swing away. And she produced her best swing of the game — a rocket to the center field fence where the ball rolled under for a ground-rule double allowing Sychowski to cross the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Hersey a dramatic 12-11 victory over visiting Rolling Meadows.

St. Charles North handles GenevaBy Darryl MellemaIt’s very hard to find many faults with St. Charles North’s performance in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over Geneva. The North Stars dominated from midway through the first half, never relented and scored both scrambling goals and goals from well-driven shots. When the 80 minutes were finished, they earned at least a share of the Upstate Eight Conference River Division title.

St. Francis comes through in the clutchBy Stan GoffSome clutch two-out hitting made the difference for St. Francis on Wednesday, but it was a throw to the plate on defense that may have jump started the team to victory.

Unexpected pickoff lifts Huntley to victoryBy Jerry FitzpatrickHuntley relief pitcher Nick Costantino’s strike to end Wednesday’s 4-3 victory at Crystal Lake South was fired in the opposite direction of home plate. With the potential tying run on third base and the winning run on second in the form of a courtesy runner, Costantino heeded coach Andy Jakubowski’s call from the bench for a backdoor pickoff play at second.

Nervous finish as Lakes holds of AntiochBy Joe AguilarA pair of pinch hits each for two players — Bella Hoffman and Amanda Costain? Sure, that’s rare. Nearly squandering a 6-run lead late in a game? Alas, for Lakes’ softball team, that’s not rare. “We’re good at that,” Eagles coach Bill Hamill said. In a game that reminded Hamill of contests earlier this season against Grayslake North and Grant, Lakes held off visiting Antioch 7-6 in a North Suburban Prairie Division makeup Wednesday.

Galat gives Lakes a winning effortBy Bill PemsteinThis Richard Galat fellow has a good plan. He can even visualize the helicopter rides as he travels the country, and maybe the world, to help out folks in trouble. Next year, Galat, a Lakes senior, will attend Purdue in search of a flight nursing degree. On Wednesday night, this future hero played the role as the best volleyball player in the building. Lakes registered its 10th win of the season in boys volleyball, in good part because of 15 kills from Galat as the Eagles stopped rival Antioch 25-23, 25-17.

Another shutout for MSL leader HerseyBy Mike GarofolaAfter continuing to snap at the heels of league-leading Buffalo Grove, Hersey finally took over the spot in Mid-Suburban League girls soccer by earning a 3-0 victory Wednesday night at Schaumburg. The Huskies (14-4-0, 8-0-0) got their 13th shutout of the year and have amassed 24 points in the league standings, 2 points clear of the Bison. Buffalo Grove drew 1-1 at home against Conant on Wednesday.

Bloom, Roesch power Hoffman EstatesDaily Herald reportEthan Bloom and Matt Roesch helped lead host Hoffman Estates past Conant on Wednesday in Mid-Suburban League baseball. Bloom allowed 1 earned run with 4 strikeouts in a complete-game victory. Roesch doubled and scored in the second inning, made a terrific catch over the fence in right field to rob Conant’s Anthony Forte of a homer in the fifth, and then singled in the sixth to put the winning run at third base.

Dundee-Crown falls to Prairie RidgeBy Dave HessMissed opportunities. Dundee-Crown, which had baserunners in six of the seven innings, left 10 on base in dropping an 8-3 decision to Prairie Ridge in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division baseball action in Carpentersville Wednesday afternoon.

Strong statement from Independent champ StevensonBy John BumbalesAs the state series approaches, the Stevenson boys gymnastics team wanted to put together a strong showing Wednesday night at the Independent Conference meet in Libertyville. And the Patriots did just that as they recaptured the conference title from long-time rival Mundelein. Stevenson scored 154.2 to Mundelein’s 148.95.

Elgin rolls over LarkinBy Scott MillerWith crucial Upstate Eight Conference River Division games looming on the horizon against St. Charles East and St. Charles North it would have been easy for the Elgin softball team to look past its struggling crosstown rival Larkin on Wednesday. However, that was not the case as the Maroons took nothing for granted in a 20-1 victory that went just 5 innings.

Addison Trail’s Kurucar shuts out Hinsdale SouthBy Kevin SchmitJoe Kurucar waited four days for a shot at redemption. He took full advantage when the opportunity arrived on Wednesday. With no margin for error, Kurucar pitched a 4-hitter as Addison Trail held on for a 1-0 victory over visiting Hinsdale South in the final game of their West Suburban Gold Conference baseball series.

Bock’s ‘fresh start’ takes another unfortunate turnBy Dave OberhelmanBrittany Bock hopes to become the Adrian Peterson of women’s soccer. On Jan. 29 we ran an item highlighting the 2005 Neuqua Valley graduate’s excitement to get past an injury-plagued 2013 campaign with Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. The Houston Dash’s No. 1 pick in the NWSL Expansion Draft, she was primed to rejoin Dash coach Randy Waldrum, who also coached Bock at Notre Dame.

Secretariat jockey says he was denied parking at ChurchillAssociated PressThe jockey who rode Secretariat to the Triple Crown says he’s skipping the Kentucky Derby on Saturday after being snubbed by the track’s management.Ron Turcotte, the paralyzed Hall of Fame rider, said Wednesday he couldn’t get a parking spot during his last Derby Day visit to Churchill Downs, and then couldn’t even get into the track to watch last year’s race.

South Elgin, Bartlett ready to tangleBy Jerry FitzpatrickThe Bartlett baseball team will have to face Michigan-bound pitcher Ryan Nutof at some point during the upcoming 3-game series with rival South Elgin, but Storm coach Jim Kating didn’t tip his hand Wednesday as to when.

Rangers top Flyers in Game 7, advance to face PensAssociated PressDaniel Carcillo and Benoit Pouliot scored second-period goals, and the New York Rangers advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 7 on Wednesday night.

Boozer key to Bulls’ off-season maneuversBy Mike McGrawWith another Derrick Rose-less playoff run in the books, Bulls general manager Gar Forman looked forward Wednesday and discussed what might be in store for this summer. Flexibility to retool the roster appears to be a welcome opportunity.

Chastened Versteeg ready to skate againBy Mike SpellmanBeing a healthy scratch is never an easy pill to swallow for an NHL player, and it’s especially tough when you’re a healthy scratch for a playoff game.Just ask veteran Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg, who was scratched for what turned out to be a series-clinching Game 6 against St. Louis on Sunday after playing in the first five games of the series.

Augustin wants to stay ... and says Bulls want him backBy Mike McGrawThis is becoming a familiar scene at the end of a Bulls season. Last year's successful Derrick Rose replacement, Nate Robinson, hoped to stay with the Bulls. This year's version, D.J. Augustin, is in the same boat.

Watt willing to wait for chanceBy Bob LeGereNotre Dame guard Chris Watt, a Glenbard West graduate, doesn't expect to be a high draft pick, but he's anxious for the opportunity to show an NFL team what he brings to the table after starting for the Fighting Irish for the past three years.

Bears on the prowl for a centerBy Bob LeGereThe Bears showed great improvement on the offensive line last season, but the rebuilding job isn't complete. They could target a center in this year's draft to groom behind 35-year-old center Roberto Garza.

California Chrome made 5-2 Derby favoriteAssoicated PressCalifornia Chrome was made the early 5-2 favorite for the 140th Kentucky Derby, with Hopportunity the second choice in the full field of 20 horses.Trained by 77-year-old Art Sherman, California Chrome drew the No. 5 post on Wednesday. Eight horses have won from there, most recently Funny Cide in 2003. Sherman could become the oldest trainer to win the Derby,

With great anticipation Elgin, Larkin meet againBy Jerry FitzpatrickThe annual crosstown series between the Elgin and Larkin baseball teams at picturesque Trout Park is the showdown both sides anticipate most. “We’re really looking forward to that series,” Larkin senior Jack McCracken said of Thursday’s game at 6 p.m. and Saturday’s 10 a.m. doubleheader. “We’re two pretty evenly matched teams. I’ve had these games circled on our schedule for awhile.”

Trautwein, Barrington take showdown with Rosman, FremdBy Dick QuaglianoEven the cold weather couldn’t tamp down these flamethrowers. Fremd’s Mack Rosman and Barrington’s Wyatt Trautwein, two of the Mid-Suburban West’s top pitchers, went head to head Wednesday in Barrington, firing strikes in droves. But it was a shot by Barrington’s Jake Coon that help lift host Barrington past Fremd 4-3.

Pagan, Bartlett outduel Dobler, South ElginBy Seth HancockThe wind was blowing out, but the cold weather made it a game fit for a pitchers’ duel when Bartlett hosted rival South Elgin in an Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division softball game on Wednesday. Holly Pagan tossed a 2-hitter for the Hawks and the Storm’s Karli Dobler did a masterful job pitching out of jams, but Bartlett’s 12-hit attack capped by a 3-run home run by Katie Fornoff in the sixth inning gave the hosts a 4-1 victory.

Famous bidders already lining up for LA ClippersAssociated PressIf Donald Sterling is compelled to sell the Los Angeles Clippers, the list of potential buyers will have more stars than the team’s roster.Oprah Winfrey leads the list of wealthy luminaries who announced their interest in purchasing the club shortly after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling from the league for life.

Blues' Cracknell joins Wolves for playoff battleBy Ross FormanAdam Cracknell scored the first goal of the playoffs for the St. Louis Blues, helping them win Game 1 in triple overtime on April 17 against the Chicago Blackhawks. With the Blues eliminated, he now will be skating for Chicago — the Wolves, that is.

Ramirez sets team record with 40th April hitBy Scot GregorA notorious slow starter, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez has reversed that trend this season. On Wednesday, Ramirez set a franchise record with his 40th hit in April.

All in all, a good opening month for White SoxBy Scot GregorIt was a good individual month for many White Sox players, mainly on the offensive side. But with April officially in the books, the Sox are not thrilled with their 14-15 record.

Scherzer, Tigers shut down White Sox 5-1Associated PressMax Scherzer threw six scoreless innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the White Sox 5-1 Wednesday to finish a two-game sweep. Scherzer (3-1) won his third straight start, allowing four hits while striking out seven to become the first pitcher in team history with at least seven strikeouts in each of his first six starts.

Heisman winner Winston accused of taking crab legsAssociated PressHeisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was issued a civil citation after sheriff's deputies said he walked out of a supermarket without paying for $32 worth of crab legs and crawfish. The 20-year-old Florida State quarterback said he forgot to pay for the food. The offense was relatively minor but drew attention both because of his stature and because it was his latest brush with the law. Winston had been the subject of a much more serious, monthslong investigation into allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in December 2013. A prosecutor declined to charge him, citing a lack of evidence and gaps in the accuser's story.

Downstate men charged with poaching ducksBy Mike JacksonDespite all the talk about the Illinois Department of Natural Resources enforcement staff being shackled by tough budgetary goings-on, officers were able to make three arrests on duck poaching charges.

Confessions of a fly-tying addictBy Mike JacksonFly-tying can be a most absorbing passion, and in the most extreme cases becomes something very much like an addiction.

Prep Sports Excellence nominees finalizedDaily Herald reportOn Sunday, the Daily Herald will welcome many of the most excellent prep athletes of this school year to the second edition of Prep Sports Excellence at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. In advance of the event, here's a complete list of all the athletes nominated by their schools.

Business

Colorado eyes edibles rules as more people eat potAssociated PressColorado’s marijuana experiment is threatened by the popularity of eating it instead of smoking it, leading the pot industry to join health officials and state regulators to try to curb the problem of consumers ingesting too much weed.

Dow closes at record as Fed keeps cutting stimulusAssociated PressThe Dow Jones industrial average closed at an all-time high Wednesday as the good narrowly outweighed the bad for the stock market. After investors took in some solid U.S. company earnings, the latest move from the Federal Reserve and a report of unexpectedly weak economic growth in the first quarter, the stock market managed its third straight day of gains.

Toyota move to Texas gives Perry big win in run up to 2016Associated PressWith eight months left in office, Gov. Rick Perry is away from Texas almost as much as he’s home — hitting the road hard to tout his state as America’s best place to do business. The Republican isn’t shy about job poaching in other states, and scored a big win when Toyota announced this week it was moving its U.S. headquarters from California to suburban Dallas.

Netflix pays Verizon for better Internet accessAssociated PressNetflix will pay Verizon Communications to help clear up some of the congestion that has been bogging down its Internet video service. The deal marks the second time in less than three months that Netflix Inc. has anted up for a more direct connection to a major Internet service, even though CEO Reed Hastings objects to having to pay for better access.

Growing job-opening concerns dent U.S. confidenceBloomberg NewsAmericans grew concerned in April that jobs have become more difficult to land, prompting an unexpected drop in confidence from a six-year high.The Conference Board’s sentiment index decreased to 82.3 from 83.9 a month earlier, a reading that was stronger than initially estimated and the highest since January 2008.

Three generations face very different retirementsWire reports Today, nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (“TCRS”) released new research evaluating the effects of what is commonly referred to as the Great Recession on American workers and their retirement outlook. “2014 represents a confluence of economic and demographic occurrences,” said Catherine Collinson, president of TCRS.

ADP says companies in U.S. added 220,000 workers in AprilBloomberg NewsCompanies in the U.S. boosted payrolls by 220,000 in April, figures from the ADP Research Institute in Roseland, New Jersey, showed today. The median forecast of 45 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for an advance of 210,000. Estimates ranged from 165,000 to 250,000.

More than 100 sickened after food safety summitAssociated PressHealth officials are investigating what may have sickened over 100 people at a food safety conference in Baltmore attended by some 1,300. The conference was held April 8-10. According to health officials, most people reported cases of diarrhea.

Twitter user growth slide drives stock to lowest since debutTwitter Inc.’s slowing user growth pushed the stock to the lowest since last year’s market debut. The company said yesterday that membership in the first quarter reached 255 million, with year-over-year growth decelerating to 25 percent from 30 percent in the previous period.

Wal-Mart brings one-stop shopping to car insuranceAssociated PressWal-Mart is bringing one-stop shopping to another area: auto insurance. The world’s largest retailer has teamed up with AutoInsurance.com to let shoppers quickly find and buy insurance policies online in real time to cut down costs. The service will be available nationwide in the next few months.

Economy is expected to improve as year progressesAssociated PressThe economy likely stumbled at the start of this year, but there’s probably little reason to worry: Economists foresee a solid rebound with the end of a harsh winter. The Commerce Department on Wednesday will issue the first of three estimates of how fast the economy grew in the January-March quarter.

Partners investing in East Dundee with new eateriesBy Lenore T. AdkinsA trio of business partners can't get enough of downtown East Dundee. Not only did the team recently open the Sweet Pop Fizz Candy Bar at 316 N. River St., but it will also fire up a barbecue restaurant late this summer half a block away. “We love little downtown areas,” said Robert “Buzz” Doyle, one of the partners. “I don't think you need to drive into Chicago to be able to get something like this.”

There was a time, not too long ago, when you invited people over for burgers on the grill they’d assume you meant a traditional beef hamburger. But today the definition of burger has expanded beyond the barnyard to include patties of all sorts, from shrimp to quinoa to beans. “There are purists who say that a burger is beef, and that’s fine, but the bottom line is that I call a burger a burger whether it’s eggplant or beans or shrimp,” says grilling guru Jamie Purviance.

Avocado cream adds to fish tacos' appealBy Sara Moulton, Associated PressMexican cuisine has been popular for a long time, but her recent travels around our country have persuaded Sara Moulton that fish tacos are big now in a way they never were before. Soon enough, they should be just about as ubiquitous as falafel. It's a happy thing. Today she gives us a healthy take on fish tacos.

Chef du Jour: St. Charles native finds his niche in the kitchenBy Deborah PankeySt. Charles native Chris Ayukawa is back at Niche in Geneva, this time as the restaurant's executive chef. “It is very liberating to be able to make the creative decisions and make people happy,” he says. Find out what motivated him to become a chef and what's in his refrigerator.

Self-guided journey to dessert expertise was easy as pieBy Eliza Krigman, Special to The Washington PostTeeny Lamothe was after an education in pies and pies alone — not in the truffles, souffles and everything else that would come with a classical culinary curriculum. So she emailed the owners of pie shops and bakeries across the country, offering a month of free labor in exchange for the chance to learn about piemaking and running a small business.

Miley Cyrus postpones 2 more concert datesAssociated PressMiley Cyrus has been forced to postpone two more concert dates, this time in Europe. The 21-year-old pop singer’s May 2 date in Amsterdam and May 4 appearance in Antwerp, Belgium, on her Bangerz tour have been pushed back to June.

Small plates a big hit at Winfield's Union HouseBy Marty Cusack“Small plates” is not something a Chicago-bred boy wants to hear when deciding on where to eat, yet Martin Cusack headed to Winfield's Union House anyway and was pleasantly surprised, and sated, by the Southern-inspired, tapas-style menu.

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ actor Hoskins dies at 71By Jill LawlessBob Hoskins never lost his Cockney accent, even as he became a global star who charmed and alarmed audiences in a vast range of roles. Short and bald, with a face he once compared to “a squashed cabbage,” Hoskins was a remarkably versatile performer. He died Tuesday at age 71.

Gwen Stefani to coach season 7 of ‘The Voice’Associated PressNBC says Gwen Stefani will be a coach on “The Voice” next season. The network said Tuesday that Stefani will join Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and another previously announced new coach, Pharrell Williams, on the singing contest’s seventh edition.

Ask the nutritionist: Colorful tortillas not always more healthfulBy Karen CollinsMost wheat tortillas are made with enriched wheat flour, which is a refined grain and not the same as whole wheat. If you are buying tortillas to use at home, look for “whole-wheat” flour tortillas, with whole-wheat flour first on the ingredient list.

Old 97’s are still rocking in middle ageBy Steven WineThe new album from the Old 97’s shows you don’t have to be young and stupid to make great rock ’n’ roll. Being middle-aged can work, too. “Most Messed Up” is a concept album, that rarity in these days of downloads, and Miller’s exuberant embrace of excess and escapism makes for 12 terrific tunes.

Eating organic: Plants like it tooBy Lee Reich, Associated PressTo get the most out of any organic fertilizer, keep in mind how plants feed and how these fertilizers act in the soil. The bulk of a plant’s feeder roots — whether it’s a midget marigold or a mighty oak — lie just beneath the surface, so generally there is no need to dig fertilizer deep into the soil. Anyway, low oxygen levels there would retard microbial growth, which is necessary to unlock nutrients from most organic fertilizers.

Lean and lovin’ it: DASH diet trumps other weight-loss plansBy Don MauerWith shorts and tank top weather right around the corner, Don Mauer reviews a recent article by US News & World Reports that ranked 32 weight loss diets. The DASH diet came out on top and the Mediterranean Diet fared well. Did Atkins or Paleo make the top tier?

Cartoon book explains New York City do’s and don’tsBy Deepti HajelaSix years after moving to Manhattan from Ohio, Nathan Pyle has come up with some useful observations about life in New York City, and the tips work as well for tourists as they do for transplants. For example, beware the empty subway car on a train — you don’t want to know why nobody’s in there. In his cartoon book, “NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette,” Pyle has compiled dozens of humorous do’s and don’ts that could be helpful for travelers.

Music notes: Folk-rockers Murder By Death play Durty Nellie’sBy Matt AradoMurder by Death, an acclaimed Americana band from Bloomington, Ind., will bring its lush folk-rock to Durty Nellie's in Palatine this weekend. Next week, the great and influential band Television returns to the stage at Chicago's Metro.

Setting ‘Sail’: How hit song steered Awolnation’s successBy Mesfin Fekadu, Associated PressHe has the second longest-running song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You’ve likely heard the song — but not the name of the man who created it. Aaron Bruno is the musician behind “Sail,” the sleeper hit from his band Awolnation — announced this week as part of this summer’s Taste of Chicago lineup.

Soupalooza: Vegetable-rich broth gives your body a spring cleaningBy M. Eileen BrownLooking forward to spring M. Eileen Brown put the winter clothes away, removed the down comforter from the bed, washed the windows and went on a program to eat more fruits and vegetables. Spring cleaning, inside and out, was her thinking. In her drive to pump up her intake of fruits and veggies she came across the recipe for Bieler’s Broth.

Bieler’s Broth
Bieler's Broth is a veggie-packed soup that will fill you up.

‘Desperate’ is well-crafted thrillerBy Jeff Ayers, Associated PressAn act of kindness turns a young couple’s life upside down in “Desperate,” Daniel Palmer’s latest peek behind suburbia’s facade. The story of a houseguest who may be an invader isn’t new, but Palmer has a way of telling the story and making it fresh.

Discuss

Move Illinois to a fairer tax systemBy Ralph MartireGuest columnist Ralph Martire: The case for moving to a fair, graduated income tax is compelling, so let’s hope legislators give voters the right to choose fair taxation this November.

Hamas’ outrageous charterBy Richard CohenColumnist Richard Cohen: Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day has passed. But then, as far as I’m concerned, it is always Holocaust Remembrance Day — a perpetual and frustratingly futile attempt to come to terms with murder so vast and incomprehensible it is like pondering what came before the Big Bang. And yet in a corner of the world, the Holocaust is considered no mystery at all. The Jews did it to themselves to foster the creation of Israel. This is what Hamas believes.

Story could harm image of radio operatorsA Schaumburg letter to the editor: A recent story in the Daily Herald said Raymond Kelly of Waukegan, who pleaded guilty to broadcasting racial slurs over the portable radio system used by the Lake County jail, was an amateur radio operator. That term describes a licensed operator. A similar story in the Chicago Tribune said (in a lower paragraph) that he was not licensed.

Taxpayers, beware of gambling greedAn Arlington Heights letter to the editor: The recent article on the position taken by the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines to request “tax relief” if casino gambling in our area is expanded should alarm all taxpayers.

Closing Maryville will put patients at riskA letter to the editor: We have grave concerns about what will happen to the current patients at Maryville if the hospital is closed. Area hospitals that may end up receiving these patients are either ill-equipped to handle them or, in some cases, have dubious safety records.

Charter schools play with a stacked deckA Grayslake letter to the editor: Thomas Stonis’s April 24th letter uses the phrase “high-quality public school options” synonymously with charter schools. Nothing is further from the truth.